MRF TOWER SOP
AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS
Utah Army National Guard Small Arms Readiness Team (SART)
Camp W. G. Williams Range Control
10 January 2003
PLEASE READ THROUGH ALL STEPS BEFORE STARTING THE COMPUTER
1 All operators must be trained or in training status and accompanied by a certified trainer, No Exceptions.
2 A tower operator has the responsibility to shut down a malfunctioning target (TM) (with-in 10-min. after it brakes or turns red on the computer screen). This is done to prevent further internal damage to TM and circuitry. Remember a broken target cannot be shut down at the tower or at the computer but must be turned off at the target (TM). TM’s ARE ALWAYS POWERED UP unless the TM breaker is turned off. The operator must go down range to the malfunctioned target and turn the breaker off. The breaker is located on the gray power box next to the target mechanism.
3 The printer is not to be turned off as this will zero out the internal program and cause the printing not to fit on the paper. If this has happens prior to your unit arriving at the range you can still print using print screen. The printer is not to be taken apart by any operator.
4 All operators must have in their possession a Tower Operation Manual to operate the MRF tower and system.
5 To receive credit for tower operations, an operator including trainees must furnish the following: Name, Rank, Unit, Last 4 of SSN, a phone number, and Date and time the duty was performed to Range Control. This information will insure all active tower operators receive proper credit and their certification is updated. Operators who are not active (for the past year) will be dropped and will have to be retrained.
MODIFIED RECORD FIRE RANGE
Report to Range Control and attend Range Safety Briefing (RSB), pick up range keys and miscellaneous range clearing forms. Range control can after the RSB issue the following supplies or equipment if they are available: Radios, colored engineer tape (for identifying safety personnel), score sheets, and lane assignment sheets. The following: Earplugs, cleaning rods and cleaning items are the unit responsibility and should be drawn from unit supply room.
Just after leaving Range Control raise the main Range flag (the main range flagpole is located near the water tanks and just past the airstrip on way to range).
Range personnel, safety personnel, ammo detail, medical personnel, and any other support personnel should arrive at the MRF range at least 30 minutes prior to the troops arriving.
Notify Range control that you have occupied the range. Unlock the rest rooms, the tower and inspect the equipment in the tower and the down range area. Turn on power as per SOP (see attachment). Locate the flagpole and the red box and raise the red range flag. Insure that each firing potion have 2 sandbags. Remember rocks are not to be used in place of sandbags, see the Safety Briefing. Inspect range area for safety hazards; insure impact area is clear. Ammo detail prepares the distribution point with ammo and magazines (magazines can be pre-loaded with twenty rounds). Medical support arrives and has a designated evacuation vehicle. Tower personnel verifies an all GO on the Range Checklist. Insure that the range safety NCO’s have been briefed on their duties and their responsibilities.
TROOPS ARRIVE
Immediately locate NCOIC as troops arrive at range vicinity. Have the person in charge fall troops into a formation. Established coordination between person in charge of troops and the person in charge of tower operation. Control of the unit should be through the chain of command; range discipline should be stressed and maintained. Unit leadership should control the flow of the troops on and off the firing line at the direction of the tower operator and range safety personnel.
SAFETY BRIEFING
Conduct the safety briefing as per Range Safety Briefing (Day Fire) or per FM 23-9 and range SOP. Safe weapons handling and especially safe muzzle control is explained to troops during safety briefing.
OTHER INSTRUCTION
Any necessary weapon instructions is given at this time including changing the sight from the 25-meter zero setting to the normal 300 meter setting and ensure everyone has earplugs.
Call Range Control and request permission to go hot.
The safety briefing and other range instructions should be completed by now.
RANGE SCENARIO
The following type of range commands will used by the tower operator. These commands can be slightly modified to suit the situation. Take notice of the sequence of events so that an effective operation can be performed.
Note: Prior planning and preparation is necessary to ensure a smooth and safe operation. A numerical roster with the soldier's last name and last four digits (SSAN) needs to be provide to the tower operator as soon as troops arrive at the range, see the form LANE ASSIGNMENT. This roster needs to be provided for each firing relay. Failure to provide the roster will cause delays.
TOWER COMMANDS
FIRST RELAY, MOVE TO THE AMMUNITION SUPPLY POINT AND DRAW TWO TWENTY ROUND MAGAZINES (pre-loaded). If magazines are not pre-loaded, DRAW TWO MAGAZINES AND FORTY ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION.
MOVE THE FIRST RELAY TO THE STAIRS LEADING TO THE FIRING LINE AND STAND FAST. RANGE NCOs REPORT TO THE FIRING LINE.
SAFETY NCOIC (RANGE NCO's), IS THE FIRING LINE READY TO RECEIVE TROOPS?
FIRST RELAY, REPORT TO FIRING LINE AT YOUR DESIGNATED POSITION STARTING WITH TARGET NUMBER ___?
FIRST RELAY, WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT YOUR FIRING POINT, GROUND YOUR WEAPONS AND STAND FAST BEHIND YOUR FIRING POSITION. RANGE NCOs, DO ALL DESIGNATED FIRING POINTS HAVE A FIRER?
FIRERS, ENTER YOUR FIGHTING POSITION AND ASSUME A GOOD SUPPORTED FIGHTING POSITION, BE SURE TO USE THE SANDBAGS FOR MAXIMUM SUPPORT, (allow adequate time for the soldiers to build a good supported position).
RANGE NCO's, ARE ALL FIRERS IN POSITION?
(No other personnel are allowed on the firing line other than the firers, and safety personnel).
FIRERS, CHECK YOUR REAR SIGHT, YOU SHOULD HAVE SELECTED THE UNMARKED REAR APERTURE. (Applies to both M16A1 and M16A2 rifles).
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, INSERT YOUR HEARING PROTECTION AT THIS TIME.
"Pause and ask": IS ADDITIONAL TIME NEEDED?
FIRERS, GROUND YOUR WEAPONS AND STANDBY TO OBSERVE YOUR TARGETS.
(Use left arrow key to raise all targets for target identification, select "All Up" and press F2).
FIRERS, ALL TARGETS ARE UP, PLEASE OBSERVE ALL TARGETS IN YOUR LANE OF FIRE.
(Insure all firers have had a chance to observe their targets or repeat "All Up". Press F2 to clear "Reset" and be ready).
Both the soldiers’ twenty round magazines should be loaded by this time.
NOTE: The tower operator should be very observant by frequently scan the following:
Troop areas, both on the firing line and behind the line looking for possible safety violations or for a cease-fire. Observe the target area and impact area for animals wandering into the area and determine if a cease-fire is warranted.
Observe and check the targets for malfunctioning. Broken hubs (at the pivot point) make targets lean and can cause damage to the motor. Stop the system for repair, or disengage the broken target before continuing or more serious damage may occur.
Call out: IS THERE ANYONE DOWN RANGE; IS THERE ANYONE DOWN RANGE. Wait, observe and announce: THE DOWN RANGE IS NO LONGER SAFE.
STAGE ONE
FIRERS, WITH ONE MAGAZINE OF TWENTY ROUNDS, LOCK AND LOAD.
READY ON THE RIGHT? (Pause until ready, as indicated by the white side of the paddle held by range NCO's on right side).
READY ON THE LEFT? (Pause until ready, as indicated by the white side of the paddle held by range NCO's on left side).
THE FIRING LINE IS READY.
FIRERS, WATCH YOUR LANE. (Press F2 to go).
At this time, the computer controls targets.
At the end of stage one call:
CEASE FIRE, CEASE-FIRE, CEASE-FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS, REMOVE YOUR MAGAZINE, BOLTS LOCKED TO THE REAR, SELECTOR ON SAFE.
RANGE NCOs INSPECT EACH WEAPON TO SEE THEY ARE CLEARED, HAVE THEM GROUNDED AND HAVE THE SOLDIER STEP TO THE REAR OF THE FIGHTING POSITION.
RANGE NCO's, ARE WE CLEAR ON THE RIGHT? (Pause until see white paddle from range NCO's on right).
ARE WE CLEAR ON THE LEFT? (Pause until see white paddle from range NCO's on left).
THE FIRING LINE IS NOW CLEAR. FIRERS, EXIT YOUR FIGHTING POSITION.
FIRERS, ASSUME A GOOD PRONE UNSUPPORTED FIGHTING POSITION.
UNSUPPORTED MEANS NO SAND BAGS.
STAGE TWO
FIRERS, WITH ONE MAGAZINE OF TWENTY ROUNDS, LOCK AND LOAD.
READY ON THE RIGHT? (Pause until ready, as indicated by the white side of the paddle held by range NCO's on right side).
READY ON THE LEFT? (Pause until ready, as indicated by the white side of the paddle held by range NCO's on left side).
THE FIRING LINE IS READY.
FIRERS WATCH YOUR LANE. (Press F2 to continue the program).
At this time, the computer again controls targets for the second stage.
At the end of stage two call:
CEASE FIRE, CEASE-FIRE, CEASE-FIRE.
CLEAR ALL WEAPONS, REMOVE YOUR MAGAZINE, BOLTS LOCKED TO THE REAR, SELECTORS ON SAFE.
RANGE NCO's INSPECT EACH WEAPON TO SEE THEY ARE CLEARED, HAVE THEM GROUNDED AND HAVE THE SOLDIER RISE.
RANGE NCO's, ARE WE CLEAR ON THE RIGHT? (Pause until see white paddle from range NCO's on right).
ARE WE CLEAR ON THE LEFT? (Pause until see white paddle from range NCO's on left).
THE FIRING LINE IS NOW CLEAR.
ALL FIRERS FOR RELAY 1, PICK UP YOUR WEAPON, EQUIPMENT AND MOVE TO THE CENTER OF THE FIRING LINE WHERE THE SAFETY NCOIC WILL INSPECT AND ROD YOUR WEAPON. AFTER YOUR WEAPON HAS BEEN RODDED, EXIT THE FIRING LINE. MOVE TO THE AMMO SUPPLY POINT; TURN IN YOUR UNFIRED AMMO AND MAGAZINES.
FIRERS FOR RELAY 2, PICKUP YOUR WEAPONS AND PREPARE TO MOVE TO THE FIRING LINE.
MOVE TO THE AMMO SUPPLY POINT AND DRAW AMMO AND MAGAZINES.
Follow the above listed sequences of events to move relay two and subsequent relays to the firing line.
COMPLETION OF FIRING
When all relays have completed firing and moved off the firing line, have your ammo detail or designated detail perform a "police call" of the firing line. All fired brass is recovered at this time. Lower the range flag and secure in the ammo building. Operator must make sure to fill out Range Usage Log found in the back of the black binder. Take notice of any problems with range or the equipment and record it on blank paper (discrepancy report). Turn off all electrical power and remove any personal belongings and lock the tower and other buildings.
Call Range Control and request to go cold on Modified Record Fire range.
CLOSING THE RANGE
Remove any trash, inspect range for last time, and move out. Stop at Range Control to turn in: Keys, radios, and other equipment belonging to Range Control, also turn in a Discrepancy Report for fault items noted during range usage.
MRF TOWER
START UP INSTRUCTION
AND PROCEDURES
Before starting: Make sure CB1 and CB2 are OFF (They are located on the left side of power box).
Turn CB3 on (located on the right side of the power box) and wait 5-10 sec. Then check the exhaust fan located on the right upper side of the power box to see that it is on.
If the fan is not on, open door several inches to cool the power box components.
Turn on CB1 and CB2.
Uncover Radio, PA System and Computer.
Please note printer is always on and should not be turned off.
The Computer, Monitor, PA System and Radio should now be on.
If not, then check power strip behind the computer. Make sure it is on and all individual switches located on each item are on. Please leave all the individual switches and power strip on when shutting down the computer and system. You should use only CB1, CB2 and CB3 to turn the power on or off to the system.
Turn the computer and system off in the reverse order listed above.
LOAD PROGRAM
1 LOAD A PROGRAM AND PERFORM A SYSTEM CHECK
a. Select "F1" for range control programs.
b. Select "F1" again to delete old scores.
c. Select the desired program: Qual, NBC, Night fire, or one of the other programs available.
d. Select only "Shift F3" or "Shift F4" if changes in targets are desired, use D for delete, E for run, and "print" select N for No.
e. Press F8 to enter a new order. Delete old scores? Press YES. Firing order select Y/N.
f. Select "F9", "Edit, Disc, or Enter New names and SSNs". Select "Enter New". Enter unit designation. Enter other information if desired or just press "Enter" to bypass. Enter firers last name and last four digits of SSAN for each lane (one to fourteen). At the end make sure all names and SSANs are entered correctly, if not make corrections at this time.
g. Select "F2" to reset to idle.
h. Use arrow keys left for "All Targets Up” show all targets about twice, (for lane and target identification).
i. Select "F2" until "Step 1" is shown.
j. Select "F2" to run program.
k. Select "F7" to print scores.
2 To run the system again, but with new relays select 1e through 1k from above.
3 To close down the system press "CTRL END" and turn off master switches CB1, CB2 and CB3.
4 Enter the required information in the "Range Usage Log" found in the back of the black binder.